Suicidal ideation and self-injury in LGB youth: a longitudinal study from urban Switzerland
Abstract Background Adolescent suicidality, suicidal ideation (SUI) and self-harming behaviour (SI) are major public health issues. One group of adolescents known to be particularly prone to suicidality and mental health problems is lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) youth. Although the social acceptan...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2022-03-01
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| Series: | Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13034-022-00450-5 |
| _version_ | 1818774195537969152 |
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| author | David Garcia Nuñez Nesrin Raible-Destan Urs Hepp Stephan Kupferschmid Denis Ribeaud Annekatrin Steinhoff Lilly Shanahan Manuel Eisner Niklaus Stulz |
| author_facet | David Garcia Nuñez Nesrin Raible-Destan Urs Hepp Stephan Kupferschmid Denis Ribeaud Annekatrin Steinhoff Lilly Shanahan Manuel Eisner Niklaus Stulz |
| author_sort | David Garcia Nuñez |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Adolescent suicidality, suicidal ideation (SUI) and self-harming behaviour (SI) are major public health issues. One group of adolescents known to be particularly prone to suicidality and mental health problems is lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) youth. Although the social acceptance of the LGB community has increased in recent years, LGB individuals are still at risk of mental health issues and suicidal behaviour. More longitudinal research looking into the associations between sexual orientation (SO) and facets of mental health across adolescence is warranted. Methods This research examined associations between sexual orientation, suicidal ideation and self-injury at 15, 17 and 20 years of age in a community-based sample of 1108 Swiss adolescents (51.1% females/48.9% males). At the age of 15 years, participants provided information regarding their SUI and SI. At 17 and 20 years of age, participants also reported their SO. Results Twelve percent of the female participants and 4.4% of the male participants reported identifying as LGB at 17 and 20 years of age. Self-reports of bi- or same-sex attraction increased over time in both genders, with the increase being more pronounced in females. LGB adolescents of both genders showed significantly higher percentages of SUI and SI at the ages of 17 and 20 years than their heterosexual peers. Conclusions The findings confirm a higher risk of SUI and SI in adolescents who identify as LGB. Future studies should develop interventions targeting mental health from early adolescence with the aim of reducing disparities related to SO. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-18T10:37:17Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-980c411442a8465ca12c2244670e0ea1 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1753-2000 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-18T10:37:17Z |
| publishDate | 2022-03-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-980c411442a8465ca12c2244670e0ea12022-12-21T21:10:43ZengBMCChild and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health1753-20002022-03-0116111010.1186/s13034-022-00450-5Suicidal ideation and self-injury in LGB youth: a longitudinal study from urban SwitzerlandDavid Garcia Nuñez0Nesrin Raible-Destan1Urs Hepp2Stephan Kupferschmid3Denis Ribeaud4Annekatrin Steinhoff5Lilly Shanahan6Manuel Eisner7Niklaus Stulz8Center for Gender Variance, Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, University Hospital BaselIntegrated Psychiatric Services Winterthur – Zurcher UnterlandIntegrated Psychiatric Services Winterthur – Zurcher UnterlandIntegrated Psychiatric Services Winterthur – Zurcher UnterlandJacobs Center for Productive Youth Development, University of ZurichJacobs Center for Productive Youth Development, University of ZurichJacobs Center for Productive Youth Development, University of ZurichJacobs Center for Productive Youth Development, University of ZurichIntegrated Psychiatric Services Winterthur – Zurcher UnterlandAbstract Background Adolescent suicidality, suicidal ideation (SUI) and self-harming behaviour (SI) are major public health issues. One group of adolescents known to be particularly prone to suicidality and mental health problems is lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) youth. Although the social acceptance of the LGB community has increased in recent years, LGB individuals are still at risk of mental health issues and suicidal behaviour. More longitudinal research looking into the associations between sexual orientation (SO) and facets of mental health across adolescence is warranted. Methods This research examined associations between sexual orientation, suicidal ideation and self-injury at 15, 17 and 20 years of age in a community-based sample of 1108 Swiss adolescents (51.1% females/48.9% males). At the age of 15 years, participants provided information regarding their SUI and SI. At 17 and 20 years of age, participants also reported their SO. Results Twelve percent of the female participants and 4.4% of the male participants reported identifying as LGB at 17 and 20 years of age. Self-reports of bi- or same-sex attraction increased over time in both genders, with the increase being more pronounced in females. LGB adolescents of both genders showed significantly higher percentages of SUI and SI at the ages of 17 and 20 years than their heterosexual peers. Conclusions The findings confirm a higher risk of SUI and SI in adolescents who identify as LGB. Future studies should develop interventions targeting mental health from early adolescence with the aim of reducing disparities related to SO.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13034-022-00450-5AdolescenceHomosexualityBisexualityMinority stressSelf-injurySexual orientation |
| spellingShingle | David Garcia Nuñez Nesrin Raible-Destan Urs Hepp Stephan Kupferschmid Denis Ribeaud Annekatrin Steinhoff Lilly Shanahan Manuel Eisner Niklaus Stulz Suicidal ideation and self-injury in LGB youth: a longitudinal study from urban Switzerland Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health Adolescence Homosexuality Bisexuality Minority stress Self-injury Sexual orientation |
| title | Suicidal ideation and self-injury in LGB youth: a longitudinal study from urban Switzerland |
| title_full | Suicidal ideation and self-injury in LGB youth: a longitudinal study from urban Switzerland |
| title_fullStr | Suicidal ideation and self-injury in LGB youth: a longitudinal study from urban Switzerland |
| title_full_unstemmed | Suicidal ideation and self-injury in LGB youth: a longitudinal study from urban Switzerland |
| title_short | Suicidal ideation and self-injury in LGB youth: a longitudinal study from urban Switzerland |
| title_sort | suicidal ideation and self injury in lgb youth a longitudinal study from urban switzerland |
| topic | Adolescence Homosexuality Bisexuality Minority stress Self-injury Sexual orientation |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13034-022-00450-5 |
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